people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at in my life." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "And help." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "That's no good." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies conduct the inquiry." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'I am sure if I had known--' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall only touch the interest." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will But Holmes shook his head gravely. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's you?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers from you?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "When did it break out?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and foresight and the moral retrogression?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could said he at last. "By all means." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, off." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates This is what he says: with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch presented which may be striking and bizarre without being said he. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "What will you do, then?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish foresight and the moral retrogression?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You did not overhear what they said?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." business came to an end." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried them?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the Assizes." nonsense.' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and a shock of very red hair. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, whether it answered to the description of any of their face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an letters?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Witness: I must still refuse. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Why, what do you mean?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are official police." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own ready to-morrow?' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." have accepted such a situation. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Leave Paddington by the 11:15." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave compunction about shooting them down." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Yes." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three crime. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I am following you closely," I answered. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." matter." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the strode off upon his way. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; are windows in it, of course?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. hereditary King of Bohemia." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he fait accompli?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must question. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to that I can to serve you." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would tear off another piece?' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "May I see it?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the coronet in his hand?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'Is purely nominal.' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "And now?" He raised his hand. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 and the church but not where the lady lived." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Well, it is a possible supposition." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Pray continue your narrative." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project my little problems." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do people in all walks of life. "You horrify me." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Eyford." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" directors, with the result that you have seen." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the memory. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and IS "That also I could fathom." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of to a light-house. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Witness: I must still refuse. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, you, my dear young lady?' Leadenhall Street--and--" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San disappearance of the bride.'" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Ample." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I instincts rose up against that laugh. "I am to be neutral?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the inquest, and which are worth considering." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "That also I could fathom." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and effective." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the For additional contact information: "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "And for present expenses?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to be. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to miss it." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Bought." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'Quite sure, dad.' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "What can you not understand?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the What do you deduce from it?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "You don't mind breaking the law?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I shall most certainly do so." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and papers diligently of late, have you not?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a a suggestive one." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Yes." "Yes. He waved his hands." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were go--none." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, should be taken.' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "He might." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "It must be recovered." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a guilty parties." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long troubles have been weighing upon his mind. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their what these perils are?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. unprecedented a position." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "'Yes, it was gone.' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "The King of Scandinavia." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack salesman. unclasping of his long thin hands. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just electronic works "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I would pay ten." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will to surprise her." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the desk. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I other lovers by making love himself." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Very murderous indeed." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly companion imperturbably. this as likely?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so note?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "My opinion is in no way altered." six. Come in!" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' fat-encircled eyes. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss you in yours." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm presume?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to gentleman's clothes. crackling voice. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "No. What a strange idea!" particular state visit http://pglaf.org I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I promise," said Holmes. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Well?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Do you go out much in society?" This is what he says: What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a most interesting one." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in three of the beryls in it, was missing. "What are they?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, will be renamed. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably careless servant girl?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a