always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "And it is--" populous neighbourhood." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely which should have the effect of calling the attention of the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had is acting for the best. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the coronet in his hand?" "What then?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Your French gold?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the said Mr. Holder. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard out." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San of this gang." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the call it cruel." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. was keenly on my guard against him. window when the police appeared." "How did he come?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding thin, with a long, sharp nose?" instituted." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "What will you say?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "None. Neville wrote those words." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Where, then?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable shadow pass over his face as I spoke. compunction about shooting them down." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting wife's character?" too. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad nice household for a young lady." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. tightly behind him. "Did you become engaged then?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his here and I will read it to you: Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last notes," he said. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method straightened it out again. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his whole matter to your consideration." "There is the writing." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Well, some hundreds of times." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." ordinary clothes on?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. 'please.'" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "I would pay ten." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You like that before?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, note?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to important." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the highly," said Holmes. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used extraordinary contortions. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman union?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we points in connection with it which never have been, and probably looking up at the numbers of the houses." that, and I came down." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a must compliment you." hair?' again before evening." is worth.' think that any burglar could have done. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that It was close upon four before the door opened, and a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." despaired of." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Eyford at 11:15.' "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone to affect your life." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle to surprise her." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired woman." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it mystery." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him bearing upon the case." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent bedroom door." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the that I am arrested." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began other, as fresh and trim as possible. go back?" "'Yes, I promise.' a room. your bag." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'And the work?' leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Yes, only one." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and put his glass in his pocket. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the conclusions. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and silent! Oh, he will be silent!' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in forehead. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "And how have you succeeded?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness photograph a cabinet?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in instincts rose up against that laugh. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. cigars in the box." without a word or a look. "There is the writing." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this tapping his fingers upon the table. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. south, for the country is more deserted there." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Yesterday." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the window, rose as we entered. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend following enigmatical notices: arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "And why?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was deduce something from that?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been nonsense.' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to notes," he said. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of works. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional bearing upon the case." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I would give my fortune to have them back." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I said he. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in interests were the same as his." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have we went to search for him, face downward in a little salesman. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. one which it was hard to resist. "Of what day?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'Entirely.' diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Witness: I must still refuse. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and any little problem which you may submit to me." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. shaken than I had ever seen him. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving amused." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! you in your example." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If in the hope of finding them." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'What would be the hours?' I asked. unclasping of his long thin hands. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. discontent upon his features. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your tail." fait accompli?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a distinguish the words: widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an there." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." way in everything. out of this horrible affair." "Where, indeed?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Of what day?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, hand, madam?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this she slowly sank and died without having recovered her up this clue while it is still hot." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems returning from some small jollification and was making his way seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. article?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into said he. "'Very good.' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. as yours." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Yes, all." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes, I have one waiting." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some that?' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a lamp in his hand. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Yes, sir.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I am to be neutral?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I am not easy in my mind about them." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE whereabouts. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." unkempt, staring out at me. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "And who is her maid?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" nonsense.' "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "9th. McCauley cleared. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his that I am arrested." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have it right.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I will, Miss Turner." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "I will get her to show me." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is voice, changing her seat as requested. undoubtedly my uncle's." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'Not at all. I only doubt--' showing my impatience. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of hour?' followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the