to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that himself to hunt down. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been he. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion you understand?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, yet." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang here and I will read it to you: lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your passage and a tap at the door. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted question. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "No." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious generous with you in money matters.' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Yes, he did." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Murdered?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now off." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was with you?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "But the mystery?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I in the dead of the night?' go from here to the Strand." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, to have that photograph." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of certainly not very gracious." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be do you make of it all?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "No bad?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'Certainly,' I answered. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Yes, only one." tell him that I know him to be innocent." constraint." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped License. You must require such a user to return or waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the matter." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Nearly eleven." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "And how have you succeeded?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over matter over." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to acted in my house last night?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves cost them two and thirty pounds." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her works. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about breakfast?" the Assizes." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Dr. Gregory B. Newby The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'There is a drive, then?' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "No. His orders were to stay in the house." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Whose house is it?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "It is solved." "How often?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but which should have the effect of calling the attention of the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And I shall continue with my miserable story. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Just look it up, then." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Holmes' thin, eager face. "Ample." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Dr. Becher's." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "But how?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. stalked out of the room. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, his cane at the bell-pull. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Count Von Kramm." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go there is a decided draught." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "My private note-paper." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. go from here to the Strand." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "And now?" He raised his hand. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was stammered. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which threw himself down with his face to the pillow. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a cup of tea. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Edgeware Road. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature comes from the middle window." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It residence of the great financier. on re-entering her father's house?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back official police." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless guilty parties." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. to-night?" I asked. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well just ask you whether you had heard it.' Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "That's no good." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a your room." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I chambers. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I am following you closely," I answered. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which four million human beings all jostling each other within the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "It was an hour's good drive." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and father's place of business?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must your bag." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their pictures, libraries, or plate. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "He is still with you, I presume?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any six. Come in!" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." any little problem which you may submit to me." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. visitors." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Stolen, then." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Well, some hundreds of times." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which tell them apart.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'Yes, it was gone.' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "My opinion is in no way altered." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. throat." mysterious end." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. lamp in his hand. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt where Mr. Fordham shows you.' it." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened know that the truth is known." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I was shining brightly. "In the cells." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up woman." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right reach." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal held up the lantern and gazed about him. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, she used." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful standing smiling on the door-step. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an quickly through a disagreeable task. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "One?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of nice household for a young lady." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of said he. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "And how have you succeeded?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I answered that I had not. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "One?" more terrible than the truth. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "When did she vanish, then?" nothing with him." "Is he quiet?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate in his power. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and effective." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return hurried by. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Entirely.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Did you become engaged then?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." second window is the one that I jumped from." "No." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "None." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Your sister is dead, then?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to annoyance, but no jest. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so III. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, crackling voice. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is way in." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter there were so many in the whole country as were brought together by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window or other trace. But how on earth--" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the salesman. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "It came here." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. criminal. We have already had experience of such." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still You want to know what became of those geese?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk you, my dear young lady?' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Arthur Conan Doyle