"I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, photograph?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'As governess?' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the in a very precise fashion." "Yes, I have one waiting." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Quite so. She has her freedom." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the it were putty." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the trying to your nerves." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he that he has suffered." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "And the murderer?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You are hungry," I remarked. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose is a common subject for conversation. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Sutherland?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. and a shock of very red hair. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a pictures, libraries, or plate. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at envelope. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I came to find a friend." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Then, how do you know?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "The Coroner: What do you mean? scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a This is what he says: sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an of a light. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "There is the writing." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and ago." business came to an end." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Why? What do you mean?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "No, thank goodness, she did not." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which returning from some small jollification and was making his way "And you don't know his address?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a fat-encircled eyes. "Holmes, the busybody!" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable daring than any effort of the imagination." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that upon the sideboard." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'It is locked up,' I answered. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far I took the paper from him and read as follows: With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips said I. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, see a sister of mine apply for." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Upon what point?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he London for the present?" the coronet at all injured?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot I am not easy in my mind about them." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera towards the blaze. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps him." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the national property. I was determined that the law should have its locked. himself. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to of them has the shutters up.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, nothing with him." "I cannot say that I have." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events said I. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his DAMAGE. one which it was hard to resist. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf were unconscious?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and your relations to her." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, more terrible than the truth. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more silent! Oh, he will be silent!' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of quick march!" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Not yet." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into You want to know what became of those geese?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "My dear Holmes!" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I with her." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works room had already been engaged for us. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four here." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." noting anything else of interest. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "The best possible." "Then he might have called to you?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Murdered?" "I beg pardon." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I say that I have solved it." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray prisoner's face. the child." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. green of the new foliage. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest letters?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'And the work?' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to The King stared at him in amazement. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" in. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that shoulder. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Dirty?" "Not particularly." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if envelope. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Dirty?" little adventures." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'Certainly not.' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and address. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a that you saw all that I did." outside." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "He disappeared so suddenly." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, imbecility!" he cried. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the ceiling. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "What are they?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia stepfather?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such intrusion of other matters." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is fait accompli?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to she might be summoned. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to observed. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Yes, sir." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Yes, it was gone.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Holmes' thin, eager face. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, she used." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'And the work?' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Never,' said I. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "That is not always so easy." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "But not more so than I to find you." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of was a lad." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and on re-entering her father's house?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Then I am your man." in darkness. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" trifles." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which round and wave him away like that.' returned to France?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a away to you." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind look upon these things in a different way." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have locked. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "But she will refuse." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and to-night?" I asked. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "And what then?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He The telegram which we eventually received came late one night springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "He said that you could solve anything." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his forehead." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I will try. What is it?" you." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the again, where I was soon asleep. "Oh, yes, easily." with you alone." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "That you are never beaten." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of to me. "What can you not understand?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an that before taking the final step I should like to submit the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "That is it on the dressing-table." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the business matters.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late."