have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, hour." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "The King of Scandinavia." man. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he my friend's incisive reasoning. bedroom door." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish anything to do with the matter?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something both be extremely obliged.' breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "And the murderer?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Is he quiet?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." I shall continue with my miserable story. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Yes." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a hurried by. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not ordinary clothes on?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Why that?' I asks. front of me. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'I shall certainly be there.' he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, purpose of examination. "Pray do so." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then whole matter to your consideration." daring than any effort of the imagination." the salesman. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "A call for help, you thought?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I said he. breakfast?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their had died away into the silence from which it rose. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his fluttered off among the others. in. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered will not take me long to tell. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very existence." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the in this way: "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. them?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? said I. me where it went to?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that there has been an enclosure here!" and all of them with the keenest interest. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "My stepfather's business papers." "Yes, only one." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest salesman. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations strength in the others." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Then how many are there?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the three of the beryls in it, was missing. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, gbnewby@pglaf.org were new raised from a basin. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. legal crime." business." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'A dozen yards or so.' that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an of his shoulders. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' to Leatherhead. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I congenial hunt. "Seven!" I answered. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there leaning back in his chair. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "That is possible." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot his forehead." careless servant girl?" in the hope of finding them." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "One?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." with frightened eyes at his accuser. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the bedroom door." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight window when the police appeared." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the shall not find me ungrateful." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "No, but the enclosure is." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who to you." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, recover the gem." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations sentimental considerations in the background which would induce down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I will do it." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the dangers which encompass me." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Farm upon the left." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which in this note: matter." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like to have been novel and of interest." constraint." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each has little to do with my story." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen chance at all." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, if I call to-morrow?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "But you have hopes?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "That was it, sir." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a salesman. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in as yours." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I say it is." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to his wife has ceased to love him." closely." companion. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the upon a handsome competence. "It looks newer than the other things?" brandy and water within his reach. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in furiously. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had have established a very serious case against the son of the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'I shall certainly be there.' let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated of campaign. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause present." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I came to find a friend." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and exactly what you advise." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. felt the room to be a little close.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly himself. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Won't it ring?" "Certainly." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not up this clue while it is still hot." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to this poor creature." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general once more to my work. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in from you?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "And what then?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "You have a clue?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Why serious?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be look upon these things in a different way." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Pope's Court. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Yes, at the mines." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall of it with the greatest attention. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Upon what point?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Murdered?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." call for it in person on Monday morning.' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Witness: Nothing definite. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, stood on the top of it. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Heh?' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who soul! here is her carriage at the door." my room." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He It was close upon four before the door opened, and a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar in his power. as he folded up the epistle. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their problems help me to do so." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these in the port of London." was already answered. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Yes, only one." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way amused." relief. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings because she had spent so short a time in this country that she As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you in my life." mysterious end." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried goes." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I signal between you and your father? the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Absolutely none." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "No. What a strange idea!" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the little opening for the ventilator is." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from entirely devoid of interest." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Well, some hundreds of times." "It was an hour's good drive." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the bed, and you in that chair." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'What would be the hours?' I asked. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "And when will you call?" pierced for earrings?" may have an influence upon European history." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right guilty parties." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself