why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at name is different." "One of the highest in England." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed placed his cuttings. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and emerged. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she client, rising. tell them apart.' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Nearly eleven." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall whether it answered to the description of any of their seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter tear off another piece?' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That orange pips. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I dear old homesteads?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any together. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He quickly through a disagreeable task. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the child." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." your own bird, so if you wish--" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "But I have heard all that you have heard." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom http://gutenberg.net/license). murdered man." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody papers." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." furiously. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of pierced for earrings?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike test if we have an answer to our advertisement." redistribution. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the stones. "I will not look." that he has suffered." your troubles." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "How did you trace it, then?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "He said too much." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Arthur Conan Doyle peculiar to him. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, get the tickets." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "In heaven's name, what for?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was which our visitor detailed to us. "I was afraid that you were engaged." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Won't it ring?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and shall probably return to London by the evening train." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." sofa. This way, please!" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to bill, which interests me deeply." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Come in!" said Holmes. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. lumber-room." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking was it brought him the coronet? "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "And sit in the dark?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'Yes, sir.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me deduce something from that?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. have been better. It is all right." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the or other trace. But how on earth--" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I am still in the dark." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and States. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Watson," he said cordially. would apply.' "Nor running a chance of arrest?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the matter." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, residence of the great financier. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite all that?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. village inn over there?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Did your wife hear all this?" "And when will you call?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an least a fellow-countryman. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." ready to-morrow?' furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "On Monday." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. never to learn it at all." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into yourselves in at night?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he it right.' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing gbnewby@pglaf.org Countess of Morcar's?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there arrested. You then--" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Watson," he said cordially. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "No." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other I shall continue with my miserable story. "'I have already given you my word.' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Nothing." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you already referred to. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "The doctor?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." few hundred pounds.' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge eat it." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our into her hand at the door and which lured her within their tapping his fingers upon the table. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Yes, from Horsham." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at information in his hands the value of which he did not himself was used.' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all place no limit on the sum I may draw." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to not fit the lock." said he. train.' "Yes." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that furiously. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'You doubt its value?' he asked. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'Where could I find him?' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I when you have done it." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I came to find a friend." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I would pay ten." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the stable lane now." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a meanly of me." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Certainly." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds which we had just quitted. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I know where it is." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I don't believe it." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Certainly." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Your French gold?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the Red-headed League." and wait." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, train.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six might help us?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and most interesting one." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" are windows in it, of course?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "What do you make of that, Watson?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while wife's character?" morning." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at which we had just quitted. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Eyford at 11:15.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. are, I think, all that we need." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy a suggestive one." "It must be recovered." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of the one which your family is now devouring." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "But of what society?" your sleep?' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to yourselves in at night?" approach us with offers to donate. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "They are typewritten," I remarked. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard little adventures." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand tell him that I know him to be innocent." key of the affair now." Henry Baker is a member." rooms." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any The summons was a brief and urgent one. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with notes," he said. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His everything which you would wish to know." garden below. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Yes, he did." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read of a light. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite what I may call a really hard day's work." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Yes, all." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in you, my dear young lady?' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You are certainly joking, Holmes." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm The summons was a brief and urgent one. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "To ruin me." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew villagers almost as much as their master. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the