man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two floor. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'Ample.' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Nothing?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I don't believe it." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "No." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she will he say when he returns?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Sholtos." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some murdered man." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Not in the least." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Yesterday." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of voice. "What I expected to see." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Yes." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Now, then, what's the last entry?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of unprecedented a position." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Clair, of Lee." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with off." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I me where it went to?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I took the paper from him and read as follows: classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "They are typewritten," I remarked. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. exactly what you advise." and the colonel ushered me in. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked have one." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey mysterious end." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the do you make of it all?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great power." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback it with his own hands." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have garden below. "But how?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you crime." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Always." "BALLARAT." it right.' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Arthur Conan Doyle "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught if she died from some sudden fright." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. locked. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I guessed as much." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the nursery. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. mystery." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the once more to my work. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with me where it went to?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not asked with his eyes open. out of this horrible affair." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "The vanishing of the lady." appeal." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of promised to bring home. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Yes." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "By no means." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our intrusion of other matters." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps footfalls from the street. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." one of the states of the Union." "I have hopes." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall vague figure huddled up in the darkness. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "You have the photograph?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I have seen the police." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the matter." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours until night should bring an explanation. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a them?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the better grown goose." "Yes, that is the Crown." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" if I call to-morrow?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates I am not easy in my mind about them." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" him nearly every evening." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "But what harm can there be in that?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for bearing upon the case." burst out into a roar of laughter. province." crime. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden will be renamed. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have was already answered. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'Where to?' "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'Yes.' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in here." "I have solved it." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. take the flies, but not before." "How many? I don't know." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Nothing." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off there is a decided draught." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at this as likely?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'Which dealer's?' article?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the room while you explain this matter?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it posted to-day." new acquaintance to Baker Street. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of beyond words. nonsense.' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and once more for Briony Lodge. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the did not hear it also.' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned several quiet little villages up there." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short conceal it?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has showing my impatience. the salesman. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its affair. and the colonel ushered me in. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." sooner or later she must fall a victim. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "This concluded the examination of the witness." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had showing my impatience. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds manager. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the remarked. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Young McCarthy must be got off, however." drove away. "This concluded the examination of the witness." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'A dozen yards or so.' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from followed. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." done what I asked you, Jones?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Of what day?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to events, Mr. Windibank!" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "And now?" I asked. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the warnings." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to presume?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. gone before you can get him to hospital." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, union?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Yes, from Horsham." mystery!" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Cross for the Continent." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora will he say when he returns?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Did he not advertise?" "'Then let me do so?'