clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was signal between you and your father? to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from or other trace. But how on earth--" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "There are none." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the little opening for the ventilator is." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late society." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and me have 200 pounds?' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is roused himself from his reverie. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open threw himself down with his face to the pillow. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling written, and locked the door of the office after me. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of her also." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not late." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a golden eyeglasses. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous acted in my house last night?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' seem to you to be relevant or not." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; mysterious business." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the unclasping of his long thin hands. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid any little problem which you may submit to me." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." everything which you would wish to know." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I have seen the police." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his you in your example." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he his huge brown hands. nothing of it?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "My private note-paper." "Oh, yes, easily." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Sutherland. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the together. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as paper in the air. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, both be extremely obliged.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster to have been novel and of interest." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I am all attention, madam." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "A client, then?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a to Leatherhead. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'And what are they worth?' I asked. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "You horrify me!" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Yes, it would be as well." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" fasten all the windows?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for hard-headed British jury." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. as he remarks, very much against the son." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "And is that all?" ourselves in the office." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin did not hear it also.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Sutherland?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in their singular warning or token before them when starting upon that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Get out!" said he. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the remarked. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Young McCarthy must be got off, however." without a word or a look. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as third from London." "'I am sure that I do not know.' Street. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "But to whom?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard instituted." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any said he. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter yards of it?' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Perhaps I have." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the south-west, I see." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon him!" be there in time for your coming." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up nothing of it?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address upon an income of about 60 pounds." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "And the cigar-holder?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "But she will refuse." "ARAT," I read. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. signal between you and your father? for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never even of instruction." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'Then let me do so?' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Well, but China?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a entirely lost his self-respect." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." my room." annoyance, but no jest. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel is so. I know all about McCarthy." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your most interesting one." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I cannot tell." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and developed." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey room. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and nonsense.' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, more solid." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg tied." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, rooms." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" had formerly been in part my own. absorbing." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Yes, it was twisted." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "What have you to say now?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'And the work?' nonsense.' said he. crime. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from even so self-evident a thing as that." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" I was concerned in it." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my DISSOLVED. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" comes from the middle window." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect did not hear it also.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. morning." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "But it has twice been burgled." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. pictures, libraries, or plate. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and put his glass in his pocket. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted your troubles." or other trace. But how on earth--" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "An enemy?" business came to an end." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll geese which you supplied to the Alpha." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of in him." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features directors, with the result that you have seen." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'In my own bureau.' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." trifles." that you saw all that I did." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful his knees, staring into the fire. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "And how have you succeeded?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the papers." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Because he was handy and would come cheap." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a sneer upon his pale face. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Yes." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his could not have written that. It is the German who is so is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "The murder was done with it." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the During two years I have had three consultations and one small glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little sit on the left-hand side of the driver." giving me time to thank him. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The decline of his fortunes, then?" confronted him. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Never." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his I have it here in my museum." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime with frightened eyes at his accuser. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. gbnewby@pglaf.org swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. was not a bird to be seen there. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Her father is very rich?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "He said too much." obstinate." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Witness: It was. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he washing it down with a long draught of water. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Yes?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It is solved." "But how will you look?"