unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one your most interesting statement." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, few hundred pounds.' with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," roused himself from his reverie. "Will you bet, then?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work such attractions and accomplishments?' fait accompli?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "This concluded the examination of the witness." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, and inquire as to the address." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the room?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has joking. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "BALLARAT." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Where, indeed?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "And what then?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the Red-headed League." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The was it brought him the coronet? acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of cigar and let me expound." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I was sure that I might rely on you." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the as he folded up the epistle. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this just ask you whether you had heard it.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from have accepted such a situation. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced weapon." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a father's young wife. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with silent! Oh, he will be silent!' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now to some other building. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the case-book, which he consulted. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no said he, "my real name is James Ryder." never came back." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the devil!" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and asked with his eyes open. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was it means?" "How did he come?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open bare slabs of marble. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Nearly eleven." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from to that open window." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and the church but not where the lady lived." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which simple cases which are so extremely difficult." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "My own seal." companion imperturbably. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come had a long day." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which companion quietly. "You have compromised yourself seriously." acted in my house last night?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and inquire as to the address." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Nearly eleven." you, my dear young lady?' dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked your only hope of safety." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Yes?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or trying to your nerves." "'Where to?' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not occurred." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'Ample.' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is south, for the country is more deserted there." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the you." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Sholtos." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly roused himself from his reverie. washing it down with a long draught of water. passage and a tap at the door. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" occurred." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, developed." Holmes' room. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and your own bird, so if you wish--" "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Of what?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "He is dead," cried several voices. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would at a side door. is," said he presently: had died away into the silence from which it rose. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day front of me. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the general public were present, then?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and undoubtedly my uncle's." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already without success. At last the little money which I had saved began yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I would give my fortune to have them back." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." husband's writing, madam." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Is he quiet?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you colonel looking down at me. "Was the window open?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of envelope. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far I nodded to show that I had heard. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. kind enough to tell me what I should do." has little to do with my story." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'In my own bureau.' "But you have hopes?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I read over the extraordinary announcement. made his money." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side see me here to avoid scandal." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. will take you up to see the machine.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which stepfather?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in particular state visit http://pglaf.org calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he it were putty." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue constraint." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in It may be so in this case, also." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was to a light-house. few hundred pounds.' "Of what?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of know what is wrong with it.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Can I be of assistance?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Nothing?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy could not have written that. It is the German who is so We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Pope's Court. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "The landlord of the Alpha." acted in my house last night?" and no precautions can guard against." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "What!" he roared. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Then I can wait in the next room." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked than was visible to me." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than morning." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. forebodings. "I am about to be married." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have his knees, staring into the fire. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. gentleman's clothes. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'Yes.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. him to go away.' peculiar to him. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus with some details as to your case." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down front of me. helping a boy to put up the shutters. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into becomes even more simple." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I three fields round his house, and there he would take his a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have was the fact that his father should, according to his account, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for drawing your inferences." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that own family. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." fait accompli?" a monotonous occupation." and the whole place is in a blaze." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "What then?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'Yes, I promise.' "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and garden below. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you anything to a woman, for she would have her way." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of salesman. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Gutenberg-tm License. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left dead, shall be safe with us." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my lost nothing by them." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the inquest, and which are worth considering." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, third from London." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from annoyance, but no jest. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my thin legs towards the fire.