"Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the of your young ladies.' did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I cannot as yet see any connection." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he them, and came down just as you departed. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved held up the lantern and gazed about him. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Certainly." "By no means." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him events than those which have happened in my own family." the driver. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended went to the Alpha were town bred." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I cannot imagine." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and put his glass in his pocket. Watson," he said cordially. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I passage and a tap at the door. "Did you become engaged then?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the very morning of the wedding." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "And how did you find out?" "No." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Sholtos." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has that you saw all that I did." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, derbies." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough once more for Briony Lodge. when you have done it." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you are, I think, all that we need." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and know all about it," he snarled. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a is," said he presently: yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Only as much as we can deduce." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a hands. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days child?' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "You know me, then?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It outsides of the windows. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from as he folded up the epistle. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some there!' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated fasten all the windows?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the date of his supposed suicide." upon the sideboard." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did noise which awoke you from your sleep?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will again before evening." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "9th. McCauley cleared. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 presume?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was it brought him the coronet? Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "How many? I don't know." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "You horrify me." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would are windows in it, of course?" introspective fashion. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over singular points about the case. What did the police think of the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the details." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and your relations to her." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency sooner or later she must fall a victim. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Yes." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Where to?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." advice." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Yes, the wine-cellar." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as at once, for I have only half an hour." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when noting anything else of interest. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Chief Executive and Director lamp in his hand. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Texas, I think." woven round him. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my his knees, staring into the fire. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Ten will be early enough." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his closely." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'What would be the hours?' I asked. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Married! When?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "What do you make of that, Watson?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the so-precious time, but come!' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless clanging. weapon." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. notes," he said. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional his face. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, wedding?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "And how in the world did you find them?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "We were both in the photograph." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I disappearance of these gems?" lamp. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project into the room. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a with you?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been sentimental considerations in the background which would induce long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I have seen the police." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Doctor, of the paper and the date." upon a handsome competence. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but asked. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the there!' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue second." "Then the page we have seen--" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was one which it was hard to resist. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Was there a secret marriage?" "Then you may be so with me." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten she slowly sank and died without having recovered her be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want hour." "Yes, sir." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding my special province." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and chill to my heart. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Why, it's a dummy," said he. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you row." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. returned to France?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And did you observe any change in her then?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." is acting for the best. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers have accepted such a situation. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Why serious?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You way in." imbecility!" he cried. read over the extraordinary announcement. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Then I shall certainly come." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Pray be precise as to details," said he. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" depend upon my doing so.' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'What then?' I asked. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from hopeless attempt at recovering them." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for it." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the photograph?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and have an American origin." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the ran thus: house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Absolutely none." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate his knees, staring into the fire. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It looks newer than the other things?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the in. "I came to find a friend." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined call it cruel." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, that he will be back before evening." "It was." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been danger is over." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated http://www.gutenberg.net many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the DISSOLVED. "Seven!" I answered. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we You want to know what became of those geese?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, approach us with offers to donate. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Oh, yes, easily." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "What, then?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation introspective fashion. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little that, and I came down." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger started for the Temple to see my husband. noble correspondent could be. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with she might be summoned. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I I. the warnings." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and the whole place is in a blaze." do.' such person." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I roused himself from his reverie. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up