whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural best detective that ever lived. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend I leave." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be seen the man in the road." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. room. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said companion imperturbably. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" British peeress.'" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must tail." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "And now?" He raised his hand. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her to tell." "Very truly yours, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler dramatic, in fact." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower suggested at once that there must be a communication between the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "My dear Holmes!" present." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I that you can jump it.' before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at fear." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "What have you done?" asked Holmes. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael noble correspondent could be. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us acquaintance?" even so self-evident a thing as that." I held the little printed slip to the light. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Can I be of assistance?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I see many objections to any such theory." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their not come at once?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with himself to tell his story. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I cannot imagine." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Pray do so." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, nothing with him." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her in him." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies in his hands." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the dangers which encompass me." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black upon the white wrist. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we and a shock of very red hair. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not opened the door, and slipped through. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, important." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "A greater distance to travel." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Leadenhall Street--and--" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'Yes, sir.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried words came to my lips. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did absorbing." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I cannot think." electronic works "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Doctor, of the paper and the date." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "And who is her maid?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "My opinion is in no way altered." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a third from London." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I will get her to show me." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and cigars in their mouths. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms roused himself from his reverie. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Where to?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so affair. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the coronet in his hands?" made his money." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Most admirably.' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." presume?" yourselves in at night?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself that you saw all that I did." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet annoyance, but no jest. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and desk. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the so-precious time, but come!' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It is solved." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "And what did you see?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "No?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "It surprised me." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and that he would see to anything that turned up. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a leave you to your papers for a little." indeed happy." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Not yet." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save on in his house." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a me. hour." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to said he. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father completely overtopped every other consideration that we both bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both upon the sideboard." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Upon what point?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a it means?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. him and tried to hold him back. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and were wasted." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She his huge brown hands. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I was afraid that you were engaged." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Chief Executive and Director for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "The King of Scandinavia." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'You cannot say what it was?' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and papers on the sundial.'" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by have an American origin." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise strode off upon his way. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as letters?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I cannot say that I have." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman few hundred pounds.' empty. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the so-precious time, but come!' "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a see me here to avoid scandal." "That you are never beaten." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "It is possible." tell me that you intended to go into harness." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, status with the IRS. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from prisoner's face. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a noble correspondent could be. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever for securing the situation." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. invisible to me," I remarked. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Why, what do you mean?" "Pray do so." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "BALLARAT." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little door?" "I think it very unlikely." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary new duties?' criminal. We have already had experience of such." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just retorted upon me, and I on you." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the point in the dark hollow of his hand. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a coat-tails." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of desk. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Then I am your man." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the coronet in his hands?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Stoke Moran." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Yes." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand any more." ran thus: wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had very old mansion. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if voice. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "We were both in the photograph." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'There is a drive, then?' such attractions and accomplishments?' "'What then?' I asked. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "What do you mean?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "My opinion is in no way altered." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread skylight. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called formed some opinion?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was James Windibank. Voilà tout!" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hour." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce