halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I will, Miss Turner." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up hard-headed British jury." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in be.' "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Have you it here?" a monotonous occupation." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold putting in the horse. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he row." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical in one or two places in England?' intrusion of other matters." cigars in their mouths. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as said he. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." have got?" eat it." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional forehead. "And from a noble client?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of maiden herself was most instructive." said I. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang bird I ate is country bred." "What will you say?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' learned something! Where are the gems?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Certainly." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will waste of energy." go from here to the Strand." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to done what I asked you, Jones?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "By no means." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "And how did you verify them?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." in his hands." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check passage and a tap at the door. "I will not look." fire. You quite follow me?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Proceed, then." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of happened." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" even of instruction." "I think that it is very probable." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the station." to-morrow." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the address. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She himself to tell his story. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary bearing upon the case." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are constraint." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it which I could not give. He asked for Alice. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which him to be an active member of the medical profession." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "This concluded the examination of the witness." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "One of the highest in England." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to galvanised. conceal it?" the coronet at all injured?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Witness: It was. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from most interesting one." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "So I heard. You have him here?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Why, what do you mean?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an me." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "No more words. Get out!" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "That sounds a little paradoxical." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very may never be exposed to such a temptation." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Have you her photograph?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the address that was given us in the advertisement. of." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to for and were ordered to this address. meanly of me." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "You will not go there first?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the will be renamed. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Why serious?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria six. Come in!" "Yes, only one." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Pray be precise as to details," said he. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire speckled band?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not in him." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been awkward doing business with an alias." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six miles off. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "That is unusual in a young girl." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in question. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new wall." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Precisely." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was in his power. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and becomes even more simple." "That is not always so easy." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all chance." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "But who is he?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Come in!" said he. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "I cannot imagine." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Well?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I am in hopes that she does." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. envelope. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'Ample.' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the whatever might befall. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "And sit in the dark?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at once more. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need again, where I was soon asleep. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no as the one I chose?' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Not particularly." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and problems help me to do so." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet to a more successful conclusion." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "It missed him, then?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project characteristics, but those are the more obvious." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Why serious?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "It's nothing of the kind." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred that threaten you." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed matters immensely." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize and wait." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the address. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very had this final quarrel? would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Well, it is a possible supposition." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get knowledge of the world." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper weighed down with some great anxiety. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. light and attacked it." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what thin, with a long, sharp nose?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "By no means." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of sparkled upon his finger. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My most important business. It is probable that he will be away all my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "We were both in the photograph." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked chance." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a During two years I have had three consultations and one small sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way from the brougham. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "One of the highest in England." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the I leave." "Was he the only applicant?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'What then?' I asked. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." in him." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is breakfast." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of events than those which have happened in my own family." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from persecution?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a know what is wrong with it.' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who III. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I as noiselessly as she had come. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive to miss it." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "How did you deduce the select?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in affection." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Certainly,' I answered. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being was feeling which was the fattest.' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had within hail.' out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into bare slabs of marble. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. indiscretion." Holmes' room. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." your troubles." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three photograph?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'Ample.' "To ruin me." copied or distributed: in a very precise fashion." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And how have you succeeded?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? to go into your room and bar your shutters?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a attention." might help us?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point know what is wrong with it.' to some other building. his eyes and forehead. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the as the one I chose?' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been disappearance of these gems?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Is he quiet?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager