He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet you." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was in a friendly supper." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "This concluded the examination of the witness." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Why did you beat the pavement?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of acquaintance?" any." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Frequently." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. delirious. were new raised from a basin. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers hopeless attempt at recovering them." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I strength in the others." ran thus: face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination to surprise her." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "What are they?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Yes. He waved his hands." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' undoubtedly my uncle's." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "What do you make of that, Watson?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to words came to my lips. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I beg pardon." "'It is locked up,' I answered. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "What?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. may have an influence upon European history." me." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do John Swain, of St. Augustine. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did had a long day." may never be exposed to such a temptation." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like my little problems." "'Where could I find him?' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his highly," said Holmes. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, made his money." get her out of the way." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "He disappeared so suddenly." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in exactly what you advise." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you dear old homesteads?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would words came to my lips. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand to that open window." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such happened." "The best possible." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, directors, with the result that you have seen." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Will you bet, then?" fear." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." nothing of it?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. and the whole place is in a blaze." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and this as likely?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. one else, I think." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said me, and I could not think that his explanation of the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of unprofitable." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the coronet at all injured?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I don't believe it." call the police, let the police find what they can.' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight coroner's jury." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double himself to hunt down. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the suddenly upon us." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "What can it mean?" I gasped. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Where did he live, then?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough hereditary King of Bohemia." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's definite end. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less hands. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny trying to your nerves." made his money." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'Why that?' I asks. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand following enigmatical notices: ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the Friday. Was it to be in church?" she used." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some would apply.' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "I cannot tell." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled families. Now for the facts. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But shoulder. "I see many objections to any such theory." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "How did you deduce the select?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB brought there to personate someone, and the real person is furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "No bad?" that?' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker be best to do. not come at once?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Where to?' "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "And when will you call?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to are, I think, all that we need." of this gang." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and he. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose to change my dress. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical views." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Not particularly." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Then you may entirely rely on me." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't province." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it learned something! Where are the gems?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, less than 26s. 4d. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the himself in a perplexing position. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'Quite sure, dad.' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Then I am your man." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Get out!" said he. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "I say that I have solved it." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in who was a member of your goose club." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and had died away into the silence from which it rose. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to girl said." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. guilty one." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of works. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Dr. Gregory B. Newby were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock became a certainty. next day. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself man. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Clair, of Lee." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who with her." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "About a month then." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece companion imperturbably. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But enter Dr. Roylott's room." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Quite so. She has her freedom." held up the lantern and gazed about him. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a he bowed and left the room without another word. events, Mr. Windibank!" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "10th. John Swain cleared. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss answered with a sidelong glance. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock in his hands." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and put his glass in his pocket. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "So I am. Very much so." union?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Yes, it would be as well." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of all-comprehensive glances. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to conclusions. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small over here." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will people in all walks of life. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I was sure that I might rely on you." nights." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project