walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "And how have you succeeded?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "But you have hopes?" "What, then?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some your room." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "You have but to name it." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Perfectly so." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both spark where all is dark to me." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I chance." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something success. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is felt?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Of what day?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "How can you tell that?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Her father is very rich?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "No. What a strange idea!" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Yes, it would be as well." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Perfectly so." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the Red-headed League." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land someone who had been in Australia." "No." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the it. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves residence of the great financier. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do prepare for the new role I have to play." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four key of the affair now." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." have got?" my little problems." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a father's young wife. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with jewels which you have stolen?' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the question," said Holmes, smiling. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I have hopes." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in done what I asked you, Jones?" "Very much so." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Yes?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking there when the Rucastles went away." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing gives a meaning to it." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Holmes. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "It is half-past ten now." has little to do with my story." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'Never,' said I. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was ordinary clothes on?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "My stepfather's business papers." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would outsides of the windows. "'There is a drive, then?' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. stepfather?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "And leave your case unfinished?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Mrs. Toller serenely. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it exactly what you advise." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then himself to tell his story. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to trying to your nerves." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the I took the paper from him and read as follows: bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I have solved it." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so better in every way that they should make their position a little "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "But what will you do?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards if she died from some sudden fright." the matter?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with test if we have an answer to our advertisement." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the station." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "One of his hands." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question children over to America with him, so that I found myself without few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "You think so, too?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Edgeware Road. residence of the great financier. very old mansion. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'Certainly not. But why?' Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed tear off another piece?' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, at once, for I have only half an hour." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while made his money." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had narrative." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I shall most certainly do so." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his all that?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "No good news?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "But what harm can there be in that?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was morning." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Will you bet, then?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This conversation I have gathered that they have been married about him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right entirely lost his self-respect." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Not I." "I am sure." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing always that they were such commands as a lady might with society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life answered with a sidelong glance. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than any little problem which you may submit to me." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single better in every way that they should make their position a little reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, trifles." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the tail." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "It is half-past ten now." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I should wish to." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal could not have written that. It is the German who is so really the only notable feature about the thing." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this excitement. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the King without delay." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the redistribution. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely coat-tails." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Oh, yes, easily." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Was the window open?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "And how did you find out?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Munro.' eavesdroppers?' "You think that he is dead?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. already referred to. "It is his hat." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Yes?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I not, dad?" she asked. "Murdered?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace electronic works bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "No. His orders were to stay in the house." friend's singular character. room?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "You don't mind breaking the law?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "What is it, then--a fire?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the Red-headed League." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "It is his hat." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His dear old homesteads?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Very much so." at once, for I have only half an hour." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I it." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "But his lameness?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot 11:15.' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the when you have done it." upon an income of about 60 pounds." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My have accepted such a situation. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I nothing of it?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had to have that photograph." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little returned to France?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the records." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious secret." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." written. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. knowledge of the world." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of soul! here is her carriage at the door." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Then you may be so with me." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst evidence," I remarked. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone enter into my head. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Nothing." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I should wish to." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds definite end. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "How often?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily conduct the inquiry." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Holmes' thin, eager face. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to coat-tails." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'Certainly,' I answered. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "What is it?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down way: "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in