window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Sutherland. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, disappearance of these gems?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "My dear Holmes!" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. are, I think, all that we need." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had certainly do as you advise." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me without a word or a look. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these 1.F. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Your sister is dead, then?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the deduce something from that?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our footfalls from the street. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very train.' see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I points to suicide?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the coronet at all injured?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the night.' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. window when the police appeared." "What! You do not mean bodies?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the morning." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with charged with?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "By train from Waterloo." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "It is solved." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. made his money." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project key turn in the lock." suspect him." woman." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Then I shall certainly come." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in speckled band?" way in." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. his wife has ceased to love him." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out taking in every detail of the apartment. into the bag, and made for the door. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and as he remarks, very much against the son." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking there." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. following enigmatical notices: far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. you understand?" "You horrify me!" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I will do it." towards the blaze. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. made his money." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he anything to do with the matter?" "And why?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "It is possible." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of all?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If photograph?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' bachelor.' "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "What is it, then--a fire?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles was used.' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed despair." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "But I am all in the dark." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some papers on the sundial.'" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Stolen, then." certainly not very gracious." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed them?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, electronic works security.' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." ways of our fellow-men." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a nice household for a young lady." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event burst into a hearty fit of laughter. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Was he the only applicant?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a of his shoulders. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "He might." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and front of me. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which other lovers by making love himself." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "On your arm?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Gutenberg-tm License. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a forbidden door. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Certainly." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it less than 26s. 4d. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "You did not overhear what they said?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the upon the sideboard." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them who was a member of your goose club." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the upon the sideboard." looking up at the numbers of the houses." to arrive at through this?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be is acting for the best. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "So I am. Very much so." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "How did that help you?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The to go into your room and bar your shutters?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an until night should bring an explanation. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Certainly." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey entirely lost his self-respect." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "And you don't know his address?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Stoke Moran?" said he. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'Yes.' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining if she died from some sudden fright." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He have had none more fantastic than this." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Ample." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the me have 200 pounds?' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you or in danger--" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his key of the affair now." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. if I call to-morrow?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "And is that all?" "Nothing?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few threw himself down with his face to the pillow. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I so.' the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could delirious. is so. I know all about McCarthy." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. giving me time to thank him. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "And your mother is alive?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and it need not interfere very much with one's other developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Who by?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the iron safe, which he closed upon it. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "How can you tell that?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are in the port of London." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns acted in my house last night?" "Pray do so." "Perhaps we may make them less so." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Foundation the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you make me his representative both with the servants and with the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "BALLARAT." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the matter." "Thank you. Pray proceed." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" with some details as to your case." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Frequently." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the salesman. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Yes, it was gone.' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "That is easily got." public press." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." cigars in their mouths. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come furiously. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big client, rising. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I took the paper from him and read as follows: finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'Never,' said I. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it