the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "And did you observe any change in her then?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I bed dies. Does not that strike you?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "So it appears." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Will you go?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. question. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk over part of the map. "What do you read?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out I took the paper from him and read as follows: least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' may have an influence upon European history." place no limit on the sum I may draw." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself foresight and the moral retrogression?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small all-comprehensive glances. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Certainly." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." for securing the situation." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the running down." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon words came to my lips. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "And how did he make his money?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a papers diligently of late, have you not?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, matters immensely." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear memory. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in window when the police appeared." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a it with his own hands." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than any more." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "My own seal." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "In answer to an advertisement." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room strength of mind to control. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the little opening for the ventilator is." my friend's incisive reasoning. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped speckled band?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, late!' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "'Certainly not. But why?' ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE photograph?" outside." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I have an American origin." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried key of the affair now." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "You think so, too?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. "What of the rat, then?" might have a private word with us. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. would apply.' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, there." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest me, and I could not think that his explanation of the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you was once confined in the cab my mission was practically severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "How on earth--" him." whether it answered to the description of any of their "But what is it you wish?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. cigar and let me expound." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this husband's writing, madam." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at had this final quarrel? "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "My private note-paper." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched newspaper selections." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the night.' red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Have you good authority for what you say?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, interests were the same as his." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day ran thus: of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Stoke Moran." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "There is the writing." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I an introduction to him?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and over here." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Does that suggest anything?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. telegram would bring me down to your help." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "It is no ordinary one." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'Most admirably.' But Holmes shook his head gravely. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Why? What do you mean?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "It's nothing of the kind." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself your co-operation." His smile broadened. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "ARAT," I read. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the memory. asked. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that hopeless attempt at recovering them." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I most interesting one." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Dark enough and sinister enough." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of bears upon the case?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. with the outside air!" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an rat could hardly pass through." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I know where it is." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'Why that?' I asks. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late ways including including checks, online payments and credit card trying to your nerves." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the empty. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the stable lane now." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I assure you that I am in your hands." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Quite sure, dad.' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow business?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his wife's character?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the your equipment. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments was feeling which was the fattest.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Was there a secret marriage?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate own family. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Dark enough and sinister enough." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I should like to see him very much." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I shall be delighted." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they is entirely a question of barometric pressure." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat it." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, in a very precise fashion." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to appeared upon the scene." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' occurred." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Yes, at the mines." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "My Mary? Impossible!" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the hand, madam?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, details." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side was shining brightly. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" IS also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the straightened it out again. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we tassel actually lying upon the pillow. go back?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, presume?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid which was all perfectly true. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I never have." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only time." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took upon the white wrist. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read The events in question occurred in the early days of my he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been for and were ordered to this address. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, of the one which your family is now devouring." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Did your wife hear all this?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding with some details as to your case." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Edgeware Road. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and helping a boy to put up the shutters. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down my former friend and companion. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and looked back. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "None." "Was there a secret marriage?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to nights." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into know that the truth is known." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or followed. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the definite end. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. not as remarkable as your advertisement." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'Yes, it was gone.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest side. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "What, then, did Peterson do?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Yes, sir." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as to me. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud you do it in twenty minutes!' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob breakfast?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport